Will Your Heat Pump Keep Running When It Drops To -10C Outside?

Will Your Heat Pump Keep Running When It Drops To -10C Outside?

As the UK steadily moves towards adopting renewable heating, a question that often comes up is, can heat pumps really handle the extreme cold? In this episode of Homeowners’ Q&A, we are joined by experts and a homeowner to tackle this crucial issue and to get answers.

The panel includes Rob Stevens from HeatForce, Brendon Uys from British Gas Net Zero, Carlos Lopes from the Swedish Energy Agency and Andrej Hasta, a homeowner from Slovakia who has firsthand experience running an ASHP in very cold conditions.

The conversation opens with Brendon explaining how heat pumps work by compressing low-grade energy into high-grade heat. He highlights that most modern ASHPs can operate down to temperatures as low as -25°C. However, the efficiency and output can drop as the temperature plummets, leading to lower flow temperatures in extreme cold. This means that while the heat pump still works, it may not produce as much heat as during milder conditions.

Carlos Lopes, from the Swedish Energy Agency, provides insight into Sweden’s large-scale adoption of heat pumps, even in sub-zero climates. He notes that while air source heat pumps can struggle in extreme cold, the solution for many homeowners in Sweden has been to install ground source heat pumps, which are more resilient to temperature drops. He also stresses that good system design and insulation are critical to maintaining efficiency in cold climates.

Andrej, a homeowner from Slovakia, shares his personal experience, noting that while his ASHP faces challenges in extremely cold temperatures, smart design choices like better insulation and operational tweaks, such as limiting run times during the coldest hours, have made his system reliable even when temperatures reach -20°C. The discussion points out the importance of combining ASHPs with adequate insulation to avoid heat loss, which is critical to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures in cold weather.

Rob Stevens delves into the design aspects for heat pumps in the UK, particularly in regions where temperatures can drop below -5°C. He advises homeowners to work closely with their installer to ensure their systems are designed to meet the peak heating load, even in the coldest conditions. Factors like emitter sizing, weather compensation, and the strategic placement of external units also play a role in improving performance.

Finally, a big thank you to Good Energy for sponsoring this episode. Good Energy is committed to helping homeowners transition to renewable energy solutions, including heat pumps, which are vital for reducing carbon footprints while ensuring homes remain warm throughout the winter.

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